Four lawyers of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh today (August 31) sent a letter requesting the withdrawal of the letter issued by 183 global leaders to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over Dr Yunus issue.

Earlier on Monday (August 28) global leaders, including 104 Nobel laureates in an open letter urging the Bangladesh prime minister to halt the current trial proceedings against Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus immediately.

Signatories of the letter included, among others, Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, Jose Ramos-Horta, the president of East Timor, and Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state.

The Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Mohammad Humayan Kabir Pallab, Barrister Prashanta Bhushan Barua, Barrister Mohammad Kausar and Mohammad Imrul Kayes Khan have emailed the letter to nine persons including Barrack Obama, Ban Ki Moon and Hillary Clinton.

A copy of this letter has also been sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations and Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Regarding the Supreme Court lawyers' letter, Barrister Humayun Kabir said the letter issued by the Nobel laureates and other global leaders including Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton to suspend the ongoing case filed against Dr Yunus is an undue interference in Bangladesh's sovereignty and judicial system. 

The lawyers' letter says: "We are advocates of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, the apex court of the country. The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the supreme law of our land. As advocates and citizens of the country, we are duty bound to observe the constitution and the laws and to perform duties to protect the constitution under Article 21 of the same. We have sacred duty to safeguard, protect and defend the constitution and to maintain its supremacy as the embodiment of the Will of the people of Bangladesh. We are oath bound to prevent violation of constitution and well concerned about human rights of any citizen subject to constitution of our country and relevant laws of both national and international arena. Therefore, we are highly concerned about the contents and remarks made by you in the letter regarding suspension of the legal proceedings pending in the competent Court of Bangladesh against Nobel Laureate Dr. Yunus. Dr. Yunus is well recognized in our country for his contribution for eradication of poverty, though having mixed reaction."

It also says: You 104 Nobel Laureate and 79 Global figures sent a public letter to Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, the honorable prime minister of Bangladesh who represents the country. Report on your letter has been widely broadcasted in Bangladesh and worldwide. You have alleged that Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been subject to judicial harassment and you have asked the Government of Bangladesh to suspend the pending cases against Dr. Yunus which has greatly surprised us.

In the backdrop of facts and circumstances, as your well-wishers, we humbly request you to withdraw your letter through a public announcement immediately upon receipt of” this lever. You are also kindly requested to refrain from issuing of such kind of letter interfering judicial proceedings of a sub-judice matter in future. You are requested to forward this letter to other signatories of the letter, the letter concludes.

BDST: 2012 HRS, AUGUST 31, 2023
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